With 27 seasons already under its belt, you would think "Survivor" would be running out of steam and getting ready to snuff out its flame.

Nope. The show is back — the 28th season starts tonight on CBS — and the producers have added a new twist to help keep fans interested in watching.

The 18 castaways will be split into three tribes, based on their physical strength, intelligence and appearance. It's what the producers are calling "Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty."

Among the contestants vying for the top prize of $1 million are two New Jerseyans: Jersey City police officer Tony Vlachos and former NBA star Cliff Robinson, of Newark. Both appear to be strong and both are members of the Brawn Tribe, which could bode well for them or could put them at a disadvantage.

While this tribe (at least on paper) should pack a lot of power to handle tough physical challenges well, it also could be perceived as a group of villains. That would put big targets on their backs once the tribes merge.

View full sizeAmong the "Survivor" contestants vying for the top prize of $1 million are two New Jerseyans: Jersey City police officer Tony Vlachos, left, and former NBA star Cliff Robinson, of Newark, right. Monty Brinton/CBS

One more thing going against the two Jersey guys: Law enforcement officers have never done well on "Survivor," and neither have sports celebrities. Those types of castaways tend to get targeted early.

Maybe it's too early to speculate. But that's just my thinking, without having viewed any previews of the new season, filmed last summer in the Philippine province of Cagayan.

Some good news: No former contestants are returning this year. That concept was getting boring. In addition, the failed experiment known as Redemption Island has finally been retired — at least for this season. I was never a big fan of Redemption Island because it softened the hard reality of the early "Survivor" games: When you are voted out at tribal council, you are permanently out of the game.

That's how it should be. That's what makes the competition meaningful and intense.

So, who is competing for the big prize this season? Here are all 18 castaways. (see their photos in the gallery above)